Bali as a Seaside Destination

Bali’s governor Made Mangku Pastika has describe the development of water sports tourism as a double-edge sword capable of generating incomes for local populations, while at the same time, protecting the natural environment.

As reported by the State News Agency Antara, Pastika appraisal of water sports tourism were outlined in his remarks read at the 18th Inter-islands Tourism Police Forum (ITOP) held in Phuket, Thailand on Thursday, August 21, 2014.

Bali was one of the four-founding members of ITOP together with Hainan, China; Jeju, South Korea and Okinawa, Japan. Since its founding 18 years ago, ITOP has now grown to include 10 destinations including Phuket, Thailand.

The Phuket meeting was used for each of the ten member regions of ITOP to set forth their plans and strategies for developing water sports tourism projects in keeping with the meeting’s theme of a “Sustainable Maritime Tourism Network.”

The Bali representatives delivered Governor Pastika’s view that while Bali was developing cultural tourism as a major attraction, the Island’s beaches and surrounding reefs are beautiful and suitable for tourism development projects as well.

Bali outlined to the other ITOP members the water sports tourism taking place in Sanur, Tanjung Benoa, Uluwatu, Kuta, Lembongan and Nusa Penida, Lovina and Amed.

Referring to the northwestern shore of Bali, Pastika remarks to the Phuket meeting said: “Pemuteran is known to the entire world for its success in rehabilitating sea coral and its ability to draw back tourism to enjoy sea tourism in Bali’s north.”

Pastika describe how fishermen using bombs to catch fish had destroyed the coral reef in Bali’s north. Working together with scuba operators, community leaders and the local population steps were made to re-grow damaged reefs. Over time the people living in the area have begun to enjoy the benefits of tourists visiting the area to dive and snorkel.

In turn, local hotels have guests and are developing nicely, insisted the Governor.

Bali representatives at the ITOP meeting described how Bali’s cultural attractions in concert with sea tourism would attract 3 million foreign tourism to Bali this year.